Re: [compost_tea] remediation

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2004 12:09:46 EDT

The real problem is that when you drain the bog, aerobic decomposition gets
going. Aerobic decomposition is "complete" decomposition, instead of only the
50% of the way to complete, which is what you get in anaerobic decomposition.

So, drain, and the aerobic cycle starts, and the organic matter decomposes
fully. The toxics "re-appear".

The way to prevent this is to maintain the organic matter level, so as the
anaerobic wastes start decomposing aerobically, the aerobes have enough food to
re-sequester the harmful heavy metals, and prevent the metals from causing
problems with your plants.

Compost has its uses even in high OM systems, especially if that system is
coming out of bog or wetland conditions.

Elaine R. Ingham
Soil Foodweb Inc., Corvallis, Oregon
Soil Foodweb Inc., Port Jefferson, New York
Soil Foodweb Institute, Lismore Australia
Soil Foodweb Institute Cambridge, New Zealand
Laboratorios de Soil Foodweb, Culiacan, Mexico
Soil Foodweb Inc., Jerome, Idaho
Soil Foodweb Inc., South Africa







Received on Fri Oct 29 2004 - 14:43:09 EDT

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